lead paint removal and recovery

I am no expert on this, but it seems to me that the potential for environmental contamination increases when trying to strip the paint by any means. It would seem that sealing the surface as is under a new, more appropriate paint would be much more environmentally friendly...

I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE BEEN MORE SPECIFIC IN WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO. THE SURFACE TO BE STRIPPED IS A WATER TANK/FOUNDATION AT AN OLD SUGAR BEET REFINERY WE ARE GOING TO DEMO AND SCRAP OUT. TOTAL SURFACE AREA IS APPROX. 1000 SQ.FT. AND HAS A HEIGHT AT TOP OF ABOUT 25 FEET. DAMAGE TO ANY UNDERLYING SURFACES IS OF NO CONSEQUENCE AS LONG AS IT'S FREE OF LEAD/TOXINS. COMPRESSOR CFM IS VARIABLE UP INTO THE HUNDREDS AND MORE IF NEEDED.

The reason we suggest the walnut shell media is that it is 'dust free' and all natural. It has an angular edge that can work well in this type of blasting.

I agree with #1 that this is going to be messy with a straight grit blast. However it is probably the best choice efficency wise. My approach would be to vaccum blast the surface. Somewhat slower but you are working with a hazardous substance.

why use the abrasive? High pressure water will strip paint extremely well. If small amounts are left, THEN use wet blasting. This will reduce to volume of hazwaste at least 10 fold.

1 what size air compressor have you got e.g. cfm?

how many workers involved in clean up of material have proper safety clothing to do the job?

what is the area of the project? are the surfaces over 8' in height?

has anyone determined how structuraly sound the surfaces of the brick are meaning ihow badly has the brick materials surface been eroded or is it intact?

do you have resources to dispose of the removed material plus the chemical or solid material you intend to use as a removal compound e.g. methylene chloride or solid substance e,g. baking soda or b.b.shot blast scrub or in case some of the readers {think(?)} this is anti american ideology a right angle grinder fitted with a cup brush similar to one that WAS used in the steel fabricating industries that WERE part of the american industrial complex?

have sample of the material to be removed been analysed for lead or cadmium contentent or is a record of the paints source kept somewhere?

there is much more that you have a choice to consider doing but for now those questions just might give you something to think about.'da ber

I seem to remember someone telling me never to use abrasives on brick surfaces. After you destroy the initial outer layer of the brick it deteriorates very quickly.Some brick are hardened all the way thru some are not.

I think your best bet would be to encapsulate the lead paint with an approved paint or other Protectant.

Extreme immediate deterioration is an integral part of this subject's envelope

Hello,

We wanted to tell you of a similar situation. The old jail in Tehema County made of brick was blasted with 18/40 walnut shell material. Walnut shell takes the place of sand and is all natural. It is resistant to breakdown and doesn't cause damage to the brick...but gets the removal of the lead based paint off very well. Walnut shell meets all the properties of LEEDS criteria. Check in your county if you could get LEEDS credits from using this 'all green' material. If you have a business, you can order it directly from the manufacturer, Eco-Shell, Inc. Ask for Rebecca. Good Luck!!!

is there a website or will a email directed to you be responded to by you?

your system indicates it offers a much less expensive way to clean brick. can it also be used in tank or bridgework cleaning to prep welded plate seams?

thanks

'da ber

Yes, you can contact me @ rebecca@ecoshell.com for price quotes, delivered, or FOB our plant in Corning, CA 96021. The website is www.ecoshell.com

To further answer your question...yes, it can be used in tank and bridgework cleaning to prep welded plate seams. We are willing to send trial application samples if you pay the postage...this is the best way for you to see which media size works for you. We are the largest walnut shell grinding and packaging manufacturers in the world. Feel free to contact us. Thank you for your inquiry.

Rebecca

Have you taken care of your lead based paint issue?

tracyh@karyenvironmental.com